Symptoms

Usually found in one breast, but can affect both breasts at the same time

Breast pain or tenderness in the area of the breast lump

Increase in breast lump size and breast tenderness just before your period

Decrease in breast lump size and resolution of other signs and symptoms after your period

Having one or many simple breast cysts doesn't increase your risk of breast cancer. But having cysts may interfere with your ability to detect new breast lumps or other abnormal changes that might need to be evaluated by your doctor. It's important to become familiar with how your breasts normally feel so that you'll know when something is new or changing or just doesn't feel right.

When to see a doctor

Normal breast tissue in healthy women often feels lumpy or nodular. But if you detect the presence of any new breast lumps that don't go away after a menstrual period, or if a previously evaluated breast lump seems to have grown or otherwise changed, make an appointment with your doctor to get it checked out right away.

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